Gondwana Records is an independent record label based in Manchester, UK. Artists on the label included Matthew Halsall, Nat Birchall, GoGo Penguin and the newly signed Mammal Hands. The label has won a legion of fans across the world and acclaim from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Jamie Cullum, Mr Scruff, MOJO, BBC Music Magazine and BBC 6 Music.

Nat Birchall

Nat Birchall has been playing the saxophone for over 30 years. During that time he has been quietly working on his craft, slowly but surely progressing towards a style and concept that best communicates his view of the universe.

Initially inspired by the great horn men of Jamaica, people like Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond, Tommy McCook and Cedric Brooks, Nat found his way into the music of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and the whole world of Jazz, before finding his own voice on his instrument.

Along the way he has played in many different musical situations, playing Turkish Folk/Jazz with percussionist Akay Temiz, forming the ground-breaking ‘Corner Crew‘ which experimented with elements of Jazz and Hip Hop, and the heavy Roots Reggae of Dubdadda. Nat’s quintet, The Sixth Sense made his debut CD of the same name in 1999. The album was well received and was one of Jazzwise magazine’s editor’s CDs of the year, earning a 4 star review.

Unusually amongst UK musicians, Nat’s sound and concept has been favourably compared to John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders and Charles Lloyd. He’s released three beautiful albums on Gondwana Records, ‘Akhenaten‘, ‘Guiding Spirit‘ and ‘Sacred Dimension‘. He also played in Matthew Halsall’s adventurous groups, appearing on his ‘Sending My Love‘, ’Colour Yes‘, ‘On The Go‘ and ‘Fletcher Moss Park‘ albums, as well as performing with Arun Ghosh’s Indo-Jazz ensemble, Jon Thorne’s Oedipus Mingus and guitarist Gary Boyle’s quartet.

“Nat Birchall is keeping that flame burning in the 21st century” BBC Music

“It’s a deeply sincere album, presented with an open heart full of passion and love. And, God knows, the world needs more of that right now”BBC Music

“Sacred Dimension, his third album, finds the saxophonist/composer combining Coltrane influences with the stark beauty of the Lancashire moors to create an exquisitely engaging recording.”All About Jazz

“One of the best musicians in the UK, no doubt about that”Gilles Peterson